Pages

November 5, 2012

Three weekends ago on Saturday 20th October Munich it was sunny and warm, it was like springtime all over again but in October: we reached 25°. With this amazing weather: I went on a “rooftop crawl” in Munich:

Mandarin Hotel: The China Moon Roof Terrace is open from May till October. I have been there mid-afternoon in summer and in springtime for drinks and I must say that it is expensive but for a tee or a single drink the view and the service is worth what you pay for.

Oberpollingeris a fashion shopping center in Altstadt that you should visit. On their 5th floor they have a buffet restaurant and an outdoor area with a view to the city (Dachterrasse). It is free to go up.

The Bayerischer Hofis a five star hotel in Munich where relevant international events take place: such as the Worldwide Security Conference. Also many celebrities stay there while the champions league game is on.

Facing the main entrance, you find the Michael Jackson´s memorial, which is outstanding and one should visit it, even if you are not a fan.In the Bayerischer Hof: take the lift to their “Roofgarden” to enjoy a nice quiet breakfast until 11am (affordable); a lunch (expensive); a coffee or a drink (prices are like in any outdoor area in the Viktualienmarkt) and all with a great view of Munich.Last but not least, check the cinema experience that @ the Astor Cinema lounge inside the hotel. It is not a rooftop but it is definitely an experience that you want to consider for a special evening. They call it a "premium cinema" and it is because the cheapest ticket costs 15eur. The 38 very comfortable seats (not usual chairs but sofas) and the service justify the price.

Glockenspielcafe is featured in every tourist guide about Munich. From up there you do not only get a view of the main square of the city but you can actually enjoy a nice brunch or meal. I have been here many times. They do not accept reservations, which means that you need to go there and find (fight for) a table outdoors.

Alte Peter is a Romanic Catholic Church located within two minute walk from Marienplatz- the main square in the city-. You pay something like 5$ and then you get to go up and enjoy a 360° view of the city.The Frauenkircheis the main church in Munich. Despite their works, you should be able to step up for a gorgeous view.

A weekend later after that 20th of October: all changed. On Friday night the temperature dropped to zero and it started snowing (out of the blue) and did not stop for two days. No more rooftops, no more sunbathing, no more anything that had to do with being outdoors.

On Sunday morning, Munich was covered in white snow. In just one week, we went from Barcelona to Stockholm.

I was not the only one surprised by this weather change; the local newspaper was also featuring the unexpected snow and reporting that Munich has not seen “this winter coming” since 1939.

I am unsure what happened during the week after the snow because I was in Berlin but when I got back to Munich on the following weekend, all the snow was gone, the sun was back and the temperature has dropped down again (something around 9° to 12°) somedays with sun, some others with rain.

You can follow the official German weather service department in Twitter and Facebook. My favorite information sources on the current weather is: